Health professionals have raised concerns about the insufficient funding for family planning in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), highlighting it as a major factor contributing to Nigeria’s elevated maternal mortality rates.
During a media round table hosted by the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) on Monday, participants urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to rectify this issue in its 2025 budget.
Opeyemi Adeosun, the Programme Manager at HERFON, expressed concern over the lack of a designated budget for family planning in the FCT.
He pointed out that this gap threatens women and adolescents with unintended pregnancies, health issues, and increased maternal mortality.
Adeosun also pointed Out that this neglect demonstrates a deficiency in accountability and hampers progress in tackling essential health issues. He called on FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to work with the National Assembly to secure sufficient funding for family planning in the next budget.
The FCT plays a major role in Nigeria’s concerning maternal mortality rates but is still one of the areas lacking a specific budget for family planning services, as reported by HERFON.
Bukola Afeni, a communications consultant for the foundation, emphasized the necessity of providing young people with reliable reproductive health information.
She urged media organizations to actively promote access to family planning services, particularly in underprivileged rural regions.
“Family planning goes beyond being a health intervention; it plays a crucial role in promoting economic and social development,” Afeni stated.
Experts suggest that emphasizing family planning in the FCTA budget could reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, enhance gender equity, and contribute to sustainable national development.
